Yamaha intros upgraded YPG line of digital pianos
February 25, 2008
Yamaha’s YPG (Yamaha Portable Grand) digital pianos have been upgraded, to now include the YPG-635, YPG-535 and YPG-235.
The YPG-635 includes weighted Graded Hammer action; the YPG-535 and YPG-235 feature a new Graded Soft Touch action and piano-style keys, providing top-quality playing experiences.
The 88-key YPG-635 is a weighted graded hammer action portable keyboard. Upgrades from the previous model include 64-note polyphony, a beautiful matching bench and an optional three-pedal unit, along with additional DSP (Digital Signal Processing) effects that enable realistic sounding Distortion Guitar and Rotary Organ. It also includes USB MIDI and USB to Device for removable storage, along with a high resolution Live! Grand stereo sample, song recorder, score and lyric display.
The 88-key YPG-535 offers Graded Soft Touch action, USB connectivity and a stand, adapter and sustain pedal. Performance Assistance Technology ensures error-free performances and a Music Database provides complete keyboard setups by song title. The song recorder is easy to use, and five types of Master EQ allow players to adjust the sound. The model’s design accents also add an attractive touch.
The 76-key YPG-235 features USB MIDI computer connectivity for quick and easy transfer of songs, Graded Soft Touch action, piano-style keys and a six-track song recorder.
The YPG-625 will ship in June 2008. Models YPG-525 and YPG-235 are scheduled to ship in April 2008.
Yamaha introduces P85 and P85S digital pianos
February 23, 2008
Part of Yamaha’s P Series of digital pianos, the new P85 and P85S (differentiated by their body colour: black or silver) are slim digital pianos featuring high-quality piano sound and feel.
With 88 Graded Hammer Standard keys, the digital pianos feature 64 notes of polyphony, with AWM Stereo Sampling taken from a full concert grand, and emulation of half-pedalling.
The keyboards also comes with a variety of other sounds including electric pianos, organs, strings and harpsichord, and dual voice for playing two sounds at once.
Though it’s not said, the model numbering suggests that this piano sits somewhere between the P70 and P140 digital pianos.
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Roland intros SA-1000 stage amplifier ideal for organs and digital piano
February 13, 2008
Roland has announced its new SA-1000 stage amplifier, a super-lightweight and portable stage amp customised for use with organs such as new ATELIER series and digital pianos.
Features include an Organ Enhance button which adds bass nuances to a sound, onboard Anti-feedback function to automatically cancels unpleasant howling from being placed too close to other sound sources, and Stereo Link which allows two SA-1000s to be cascaded into a PA system for small-scale performances and concerts.
The amp boasts 350W of output (75W x 2 plus a 200W subwoofer), and weighs 11.5kgs.
Yamaha reintroduces Clavinova CGP1000 digital piano
February 9, 2008
Yamaha has reintroduced its high-end Clavinova CGP1000 digital piano featuring the technologically advanced function of the Clavinova CVP400 Series housed within an elegantly crafted 4ft 11in grand piano cabinet. This hybrid piano combines the accurate reproduction of sampling technology with the richly textured harmonic nuances of a real grand piano.
Designed to address the continued strong demand for a high-end CVP-type digital piano in a grand-style cabinet, the CGP1000 was originally inspired by the Clavinova CVP309GP. It features the dynamic, one-of-a-kind upgrades of the CVP400 Series that add the capability to record and share fully orchestrated performances with vocals. The CGP1000 offers such features as Internet Direct Connection (IDC), enhanced song and lyric LCD displays and a Natural Wood Keyboard with Synthetic Ivory Keytops.
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Roland intros RD-GX Series of digital pianos
February 9, 2008
Roland has introduced two new digital pianos in the RD-GX range. Both feature 88-note fully weighted keyboards. The RD-700GX features Roland’s fully weighted PHA II Ivory Feel keyboard with Escapement, while the RD-300GX offers PHA alpha II.
The RD-GX Piano Designer feature allows the editing of piano sound parameters such as Hammer Noise, Damper Resonance, Duplex Scale, and more.
The RD-300GX features 110 normal tones, while the RD-700GX has 242, including a range of other keyboard instruments. They both have 128 notes polyphony, multi-effects, as well as a number of assignable controls which means the keyboards could also be used as controllers or for basic synth work. The RD-700GX also features three MIDI out ports, and multi-zone keyboard set-up.
Playing piano or keyboard without a sustain pedal
February 7, 2008
Have you ever been stuck in a situation where the piano, keyboard, or synth you’ve been playing either has no sustain pedal, or the one that is attached works intermittently, or not at all?
I have, a number of times, and let me tell you it’s not much fun at the time.
Without wanting to sound condescending (apologies if I do), if you’re just starting out on the piano or keyboard, or you’re primarily involved with sequencing or computer-based composition, then you may not realise just how vital the sustain pedal is to many pianists and keyboard players.
When it’s missing, it’s very obvious — at least, to you, if not to your audience.
Here are some ideas for how to get around the problem of a missing or malfunctioning sustain pedal. Feel free to add your own hints and tips in the comments section below.
Roland announces HPi-7S and HPi-6S digital pianos
February 5, 2008
Roland has announced the launch of its latest digital pianos, the HPi-7S and HPi-6S. Both feature Roland’s DigiScore system featuring interactive, visual lessons aimed at making learning to play the piano more fun and rewarding.
The 7S features Roland’s most authentic grand piano sound and feel, thanks to the PHA II “ivory feel” keyboard with Escapement. The cabinet is fitted with an immersive four-speaker system. It has 100 levels of touch sensitivity, 128 notes of polyphony, 612 tones, 8 types of tuning temperament, and a built-in composer.
Roland announces DP-990 digital piano
February 4, 2008
Roland has announced the new DP-990 digital piano, a sophisticated addition to their product line-up offering “amazing sounds and touch”.
It features Roland’s PHA II weighted keyboard with Escapement, which yields a heavier touch in the low range and lighter touch in the upper. It also provides lighter resistance for pianissimo passages and stronger resistance for fortissimo.
Each of the 88 keys features individual multi-samples, and a number of options are available which let the player design their perfect piano sound, by adjusting Damper, Strings and Key-off resonance.
Yamaha Clavinova used for research into use of music for stress relief
January 31, 2008
The Daily American reports that researchers at the Windber Research Institute are calling for volunteers to take part in a study to test the effects of music participation on stress reduction.
Prerequisites for taking part in the trial are:
- Must have a history of ischemic heart disease
- Must have had no musical training at any point in the past, even if years ago
- Must not be a keen puzzle solver
Darrell Ellsworth, PhD, senior director of the integrative cardiac and metabolic health program at WRI, is studying heart disease and breast cancer at the molecular level to improve patient treatment and care.
Casio intros two new Privia digital pianos: PX-720, PX-120
December 11, 2007
Casio has today announced the arrival of two new “world class” digital pianos in its Privia range.
The PX-720 and PX-120 both feature 88 scaled hammer-action keys, and boast a slim design. In fact, the PX-120, which comes in a choice of silver and dark grey or silver and light brown colouring, is supposed to be the world’s smallest digital piano, measuring just 298mm (about 11.7 inches) slim.
The PX-720 comes in subtle ash-walnut, cherry, or maple shades.
Both digital pianos feature Casio’s Acoustic and Intelligent Filtering (AIF) technology, which produces sounds that resonate smoothly when played. The new Privas also come with tri-element sampling, which uses three real piano samples for each note, making it possible to reproduce real sounds in response to different key pressures, delivering the sound and expression of an actual acoustic piano.
It’s hard to tell immediately from the technical specifications posted on Casio’s site what other differences there are between the two models, other than the finish and a slight size difference. However, the specs don’t look quite complete. Though it’s possible to see that both come with a generous 128 notes of polyphony, plus layer/split, auto-accompaniment, 2-track recorder, transposition, tuning, and such like, there’s no mention of pedal options, for example.
The PX-120 has a retail price of £549.99, with the PX-720 coming in at £649.99 (UK prices).
Casio seems to load its digital pianos with more features than many of Yamaha’s Clavinova and P-series digital pianos (though some of Yamaha’s contemporary stage pianos have features such as accompaniment).
Whether you actually want these features if you’re shopping for a dedicated digital piano is another matter. You could argue that you might as well have the extra features, but I’m always concerned that additional features either push the price up, or detract from the “core value” of a digital piano — how it feels and looks.
Though, between the two manufacturers, Yamaha often has the name and the edge over Casio, these look like smart, decent instruments at a reasonable price. The truth will out in the playing, though.
Casio PX-720 product page
Casio PX-120 product page
